HB 1820

Abstract

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; food stamp program; eligibility; postsecondary education. Adds participation in educational activities that lead to a post-secondary credential from an accredited institution of higher education or other postsecondary school licensed or certified by the Board of Education or the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to the list of activities to which a participant in the Virginia Initiative for Education and Work may be enrolled and directs the Board of Social Services to amend the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP benefits program) to (i) establish broad-based categorical eligibility, (ii) set the gross income eligibility standard at 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, (iii) not impose an asset limit for eligibility, and (iv) increase opportunities for self-sufficiency through postsecondary education by allowing SNAP benefits program participants to satisfy applicable employment and training requirements through enrollment in an accredited public institution of higher education or other postsecondary school licensed or certified by the Board of Education or the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; foodstamp program; eligibility; postsecondary education. Allows TemporaryAssistance for Needy Families (TANF) and food stamp recipients, tothe extent permitted by federal law and regulations, to satisfy orearn exemption from applicable work and training requirements throughenrollment in postsecondary education. The bill directs the Departmentof Social Services to utilize certain strategies to promote suchpostsecondary education opportunities and streamline the process for certifying compliance therewith. The bill also directs the Boardof Social Services, in implementing the Commonwealth's food stampprogram, to (i) establish broad-based categorical eligibility, (ii)set the gross income eligibility standard at 200 percent of the federalpoverty guidelines, and (iii) not impose an asset limit.